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By Kayode Afolabi A Frontline Gubernatorial aspirant, under the platform of People's Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Dr Bode Ayorinde has today approved the appointment of four Pre-Primary campaign Directors.  This was done ahead of the forthcoming primary election of People's Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled to hold on July 2020, Dr Ayorinde in a press statement signed by his Senior Media Aide, Olusegun Adebumiti noted that the appointment of the Pre-Primary election Directors takes immediate effect. The statement read in part, "In order to strengthen the machinery of Hope Alive 2020 campaign team, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Aspirant in Ondo state, Hon. Dr Bode Ayorinde has announced the names of Directors of his Pre-Primary election campaign team"  "The campaign team codenamed "Hope Alive 2020 Rescue Mission" was unveiled at a meeting with leaders and lead coordinators championing his governorship bid in Akure, the state capital...

The traditional Personal Assistant to the Deji of Akure, Chief Taiwo Fagite was the 4th witness for Prophet Babatunde Alfa in his ongoing trial at an Ondo state High Court in Akure over the disappearance of gold Kolawole in November last year at Sotitobire Miracle centre, Oshinle Akure. Fagite who was subpoenaed by the court, alleged that parents of the missing boy were not forthcoming after they reported the incident until there were made to swear an oath at the Deji’s palace alongside 14 teachers in the church. He said the Deji of Akure upon being briefed on the incident summoned both prophet Babatunde and the boy’s parents but only the Cleric showed up. Chief fagite said days later, the parents and 14 children teachers later came to swear to a traditional oath at the deji’s palace. While being cross examined, chief fagite admitted that the prophet during his first visit to the palace came with a popular Akure youth leader, ade basket as well as a senior police officer. The 5th defen...

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has tested positive for COVID- 19. The Governor made the disclosure through his official twitter handle few minutes ago. The governor said he got conformation of a positive result for COVID- 19 on Tuesday morning. His tweet reads, “Earlier today, I got confirmation of a positive result for Covid-19. ” I am asymptomatic and not displaying any symptoms. I am currently self-isolating and supervised home management will be administered by the wonderful team at our Infectious Disease Hospital. I ask that we all stay safe and be well.” he added.

By David Fidelis No doubt, Ijoka and Oda-Board roads in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State  have become  death traps. For the past four years, passing through these roads have become a very excruciating experience for those who work in Akure metropoly but reside along these areas because, journeying daily along these route is akin to sojourning through hell. With recent developments along the road, one does not really need any prophet to conclude that hell is not really far from us.  Few days ago, passing through Oda-Board road, through Ajipowo camp, linking Ipinle Rere camp to Odode Idanre was a harrowing and traumatic experiences.  Accident in these roads have become a normal thing, lots of vehicles have been damaged, especially when driven by those who are unaware of the dreadful state of the roads and has led many to their untimely graves. It would be recalled that  governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in February 2018 flagged off the dualisation of ...

Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, ODBIRS, today shared the sum of 100 Million Naira between the State and Local Government Areas being the sum collected as Land Use Charge for January to May 2020. This was done consequent upon the mandate delegated to ODIRS for the levying and collection of Land Use Charge in the State and sharing same between the State and the 18 Local Government Areas in line with the sharing formula provided for, by the Land Use Charge law 2014. During the presentation of the cheque at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Tolu Adegbie the Executive Chairman of Ondo State Internal Revenue Service gave an account that the sum of N317.6million less initial set up was shared between the state and local government in 2018 and 2019 and the sum of #100m accrued so far in 2020 is now being shared today. The cheque for the State has already been given to Accountant General of the State while he was here with the HCF to present the cheque for the L...

It was a scenario filled with undiluted love for Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration as widows in Ondo West Local Government gathered to receive their portions of the ongoing distribution of palliatives under the Ondowidows’care initiative.  The event which took place at the popular Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre today was overwhelmed with praise of different songs to thank the initiator of the programme.  The widows, who gathered in groups singing different songs composed in their dialect, confessed that they had never been recognised like this by past administrations in Ondo State. At the venue of the distribution, about 500 widows joyfully went home with various food items, while many others who didn’t register were helped by some members of staff of the wife of the governor outside the hall, to enter their data on the ondowidows.com website. In her reaction, a beneficiary, Mrs. Olawanbi Fatima commended Arabinrin B...

By Olu Kay Following the video making the rounds the internet that only 10 food items were distributed to widows in Idanre, while over 500 others were returned to Akure, members of the publics are advised to debunk the piece of information.  In a statement signed by S.S.A to the Governor on Gender Research and Documentation, Tope Daniyan said it is preposterous and a poorly fabricated tall tale.  "We are aware that this is a political season and the political rogues will do all they can to distract good governance.  "it will be irrational to think that food items meant for widows residing in Idanre were brought to the local government, offloaded from the vehicle into the hall where distribution was to be made and then packed back into the vehicle only to be taken back to Akure. What was the point of offloading if we were going to deliberately pack it back; it just doesn’t make any sense."  "All the food items brought ...

The Federal Government has said all primary schools and daycare centres across the Federation remained closed. The National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Sani Aliyu, stated this in Abuja on Monday. “All daycares and primary schools to remain closed till further evaluation,” he said. Similarly, the federal Government has approved what it called “safe reopening” of schools nationwide in the next phase of the gradual easing of lockdown ordered to curtail further spread of COVID-19. However, only graduating students will resume. The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja on Monday. He said the reopening of schools was meant to allow students in graduating classes to resume preparation for examinations. He disclosed that the latest developments were contained in the task force’s fifth interim report which was submitted to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd....

Testimonies by witnesses for the founder of sotitobire praising Chapel, prophet Babatunde alfa in his on-going trial at ondo High Court in Akure over the disappearance of one year old gold Kolawole in the church last year has been adjourned till tomorrow. Justice Olusegun Odusola made the announcement after the third witness, Dr Richard Akinnagbe had given his testimony. During examination in Chief by lead Defence counsel, Olusola Oke, Akinnagbe told the court that he was detained for one day by the DSS when he visited the secret service agency’s Office to State what he knew about the case being in church on the day gold got Missing. He also alleged that the DSS tore three statements that he wrote in their custody because it was not what they wanted him to write.   He accused gold’s Mother of reluctance to involve the police when he advised her to do so as she insisted that her husband and his friends will look for the toodller. But the state Attorney General and Commissioner for j...

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Bolaji Salami, to restore the security details of the state’s deputy governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, with immediate effect.  The IGP’s directive was contained in a memo addressed to the Police Commissioner through the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operations, Force headquarters Abuja.  The memo with Ref. No CB: 2002/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL/77/168 was signed on behalf of the IGP through Austine Agbonlahor, Assistant Inspector-General of Police.  The security details attached Ajayi  and his office were withdrawn on the orders of the Commissioner of Police in the state last week Wednesday.

The management of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, says the report that the polytechnic was planning to retire staffers who had turned 60 years old in December 2019 was untrue. This was contained in rejoinder signed by Mr. Samuel Ojo, the Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the institution, and made available to Daily Independent on Sunday in Akure, the state capital. The rejoinder was issued to clear the air on some issues raised in a report  The rejoinder reads inter alia: “The attention of Management has been drawn to your publication titled ” -Ondo poly Rector, Others Risk Jail Terms For Slashing Salary —‘ issued on Saturday,27th June,2020. “It has become imperative to write this REJOINDER to correct the wrong information passed to the public as reflected in your newspaper. “The publication to all intent and purposes are mere figment of the imagination of those who volunteered the information. “To put the records straight, it is a known fact that the reduction of subventio...

Hearing of the suit filled against he founder of Sotitobire Miracle Centre, Oshinle Akure, Prophet Babatunde Alfa and co-defendants continues today at the  Ondo state High Court sitting in Akure. The Prophet and six members of his church are standing trial over the disappearance of one year old boy,  Gold Kolawole in his church last year. Last Thursday, Alfa Babatunde opened his defence to prove his innocence. His Counsel, Olusola Oke announced to the court that 20 witnesses would give testimony for him and 6 other defendants to absolve them of complicity in the disappearance of Kolawole. His wife, Evangelist Bisola Alfa was the first to give testimony. She told the court that her husband showed concern and took actions to find the missing boy before he became a guest of the DSS contrary to insinuations in certain quarters. But under cross examination by the lead Prosecutor and Commissioner for justice Adekola Olawoye, Mrs Bisola Alfa, said her husband never told her he suspec...

It was as if is been watched on cinemas as some objects suspected to be charms “juju” were found in the office of the Caretaker Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government, Prince Abayomi Adesanya  over the weekend   The fetish objects were placed in the office of the chairman, thereby creating tension in the Secretariat. It was gathered that some persons dropped the objects with the intention to create confusion in the council. Reacting to this incident, the council boss, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya, expressed shock and anxiety over the placement of fetish objects in his office. He however said that perpetrators of the devilish act has failed in their plot. He added, “God will expose all the conspirators in no distance time”. Abayomi urged staff of the council to be calm and enjoined those working in his office to go about their official duties without any fears.

This is to inform the general public that the campaign posters with the picture of the Deputy Governor in other political parties rather than the People's Democratic Party,( PDP) circulating on various New Media Platforms doesn't emanate from the office of  Ondo State Deputy Governor and People's Democratic Party, (PDP) governorship aspirant Alfred Agboola Ajayi.  This is the hardwork of desperate politicians who have tried unsuccessfully to pitch the leadership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) against the Deputy Governor. The purveyor of this fake news  are well known to the public. We would not have responded to this fake and unsubstantiated story if not for unsuspecting members of the public. There was no time the Deputy Governor addressed press  after his official declaration for the PDP on Monday 22nd June, 2020. We therefore urge the public to disregard this and the subsequent ones to follow.   It is understandable that it will take a very long ...

Rainstorm which was said to have been heavy has destroyed over 100 houses in Idanre, the hilly part of Ondo State.  The incident as become a paramount concern in the entire community.  According to reports, the heavy down pour renderd many residents homeless as many roofs and electric poles were blown off from its positions.  The damage was more noticeable in Alade Idanre,  and Streets in idanre  such as Idimilokun, Oke-Ibukun and Police Station road.  Also, Between Odode and Alade Idanre, electric cables around Gbekemu valley were conspicuously seen on the road as many of the poles, made with steel had either fallen or bent. Lamenting her loss, one of the victims, Mrs Janet Jonuash, who operates a computer centre, narrated that valuables worth of millions of naira were destroyed sequel to the rainstorm.  However, affected victims are soliciting for swift government interventions.

By Kayode Afolabi Some unknown hackers have bugged into the E- Learning website of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, on Thursday 25th of June, 2020. Recall that, the management approved the online teaching for students through the e-learning portal of the institution website on Thursday, 14th of May 2020. The Director of Information Communication Technology (ICT) officer, Mr. Olusegun Adeoni confirmed this during an interview session with the press council's correspondent in his office yesterday, Friday 26th of June, 2020. Adeoni said, the hackers gained access into the platform as a result of the free will given to students and lecturers by the school Management, allowing them to have direct access to posting and viewing information on the website. The Director added that, the Management introduced E - learning to meet up with the technological advancement of the world, in improving the educational standard of the Institution during this lo...

  Ondo Deputy Gov., Agboola Submits PDP Nomination Form In pursuit of his gubernatorial ambition The Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Barr. Alfred Agboola Ajayi, on Friday, 26th June, 2020, submitted his nomination and expression of interest forms. Ajayi, a frontline gubernatorial aspirant, was at the National Headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Wadata House, Abuja, earlier today. The Deputy Governor joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently. Source:The radar

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have abduct a bout nine passengers with a Toyota Sienna space bus According to Report, the passengers were heading from Abuja to Lagos but were abducted at Isua area in Akoko south east local government area of Ondo State. A family member of one of the victim, Bamidele Ojo, confirmed that the kidnappers have demanded N100m ransom. The state Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro,  said efforts were on to ensure release of other victims. ASP Tee-Leo however said one of the victims has been rescued The spokesman said the police were working with hunters, local vigilante and other agencies.

  About 150 suspected drug dealers have been arrested between January and June 2020 by officials of the Ondo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).  Reports says out of these drug dealers, 12 of them are females. The State Commander of NDLEA, Haruna Gagara, stated this while briefing journalists in Akure to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme: “Better Knowledge For Better Care.”. According to him, he said 65 bags of cannabis sativa were seized on Friday at Agunla area of Ogbese in Akure North Local Government, thereby blamed the high rate of rape in the country as a result of drug abuse. A total of 7, 702.114kg hard drugs, comprising 7, 653.445kg of cannabis sativa, 48.669kg of psychotropic substances and 0.06grams of cocaine were seized in the period under review. He highlighted some challenges saying, government forest reserves were being used for the cultivation of c...

  Former Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi has been appointed as the pre-campaign committee of the Deputy Governor of the State, Hon Agboola Ajayi who is contesting the 2020 governorship election on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which he joined recently from the ruling APC. Apart from Ademujimi who will serve as Director General, other members of the committee are former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Hon Ebenezer Alabi, who would serve as Deputy Director General of the organization. Ademujimi from Idanre local government area, is a close friend and Chief of Staff to former governor Olusegun Mimiko. Also, former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Bamiduro Dada, would serve as Campaign Coordinator for the North, Mr Rasheed Akinbolaji, for the Central Yomi Akinfenwa, for the South and Hon Banso Alex Adeyinka would serve as Campaign General Secretary. Dada also served under the Mimiko’s a...

By David Fidelis Following the increasing cases of rape across the country,   the Prime Minister of Akure Kingdom and Regent of Lisa land in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Comrade Adegboro Omotolani Adesewa has called for legislations that would ensure stiffer penalties for rapists, child abusers and predators,   The regent said all hands must be on deck to nip rape in the bud in society, calling for a  synergise with government and relevant non governmental organizations to eradicate rape and child defilement in the country. Regent Omotolani served as the Vice President of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Studies, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, led by Comrade Fidelis David became the Regent on 26 June 2020. Adegboro Omotolani was installed as the Regent following the demise of the former Olisa High chief olugbenga Williams Amudipe. The Olisa is a Senior High Chief who belongs to the IARE group of Chiefs in Akure and considered to be the highest ranking...

Wife of the founder of Prophet Sotitobire Praising Chapel in Akure Mrs Bisola Alfa on Thursday exonerated her husband of involvement in the disappearance of an 18-month-old child, Gold Eninlaloluwa Kolawole, from his church. The 1st defence witness in the ongoing trial of her husband, Babatunde and six other workers of his church, testified that some days after the baby got missing, she received a text message from one Adamu, who claimed that he had the missing child in his custody. She said she immediately informed the security agencies about the text message from the man. Prior to her testimony before an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the defence led by Mr Olusola Oke, informed the court that they would be calling 20 witnesses to defend the case. Mrs Alfa testified that she was informed on the day the child got missing, while everyone swung into action searching for the baby before she left for home to take care of one of her children who was not feeling fine. ” The followin...

Former Governor Of Oyo State, Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi is dead Ajimobi who died at 70 had been in coma and on life support for some days after a surgery. He however passed away at the First Cardiology Hospital, Ikoyi. It was gathered that Senator Ajimobi, who was being treated for COVID-19 complications had been totally unconscious since last Thursday after his organs totally collapsed. His family is expected to make a formal announcement on Thursday evening. The former governor was rumoured to be dead last week but his aides and family members denounced the report asking Nigerians to rather pray for his recovery

Death as been announced of an unidentified person in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State in the early hour of today It was reported that the death was as a result of an armed robbers attack in Okitipupa the headquarters of Okitipupa local government area of the state. The incident happened at a POS centre at Apata street of Okitipupa where two suspected armed robbers lunched an attack to the center. According to Coastal Reporters, the two suspected armed robbers  conveyed themselves with motorcycle  for operation  with weapons  and escaped after the attack.   On the process of their fleeing raised alarm the POS attendant which moved the dwellers of the area to chase the suspected robbers. The suspects on noticing the crowd chasing them, shooting into the air as to disperse the crowd accidentally shoots his colleague in the skull. The men of the Nigeria Police Force, Okitipupa Divisional Headquarters however recovered from the dead suspect two guns (lif...

It was a sad day today in the ancient  city of Ikare Akoko as an  electricity pole which two officials of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) were working fell and killed a passerby man while one of the electricity company officials sustained serious injury. An witness account told SUNSHINETRUTH that the pole fell due to its weakness and the other official escaped unhurt. The family of the victim who instantly are Muslims who regarded it as an act of God while the wounded official was rushed state specialist hospital Ikare for treatment. The witness said, “changing and removal of electricity poles was necessitated due to ongoing dualization of Ikare township road by Ondo state government.” Sympathisers were in large number at the scene of the incident. The Police Area Commander for Ikare Assistant commissioner of police Razak Rauf confirmed the unfortunate incident and said police had taken appropriate step on the case

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi has raised alarm over the withdrawal of his police escort on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Bolaji Salami. According to a statement issued by the Deputy Governor’s Chief press  secretary,  Babatope Okeowo, the Deputy Governor is not oblivious of the surreptitious move to undermine his security. But the Ondo state police command described the story as untrue. According to Spokesman of the command, Tee-Leo  Ikoro, he said the state commissioner of police has not withdrawn escort from the Deputy Governor. The statement reads,”This is the same Commissioner of Police that took the Deputy Governor hostage on Saturday 21st of June, 2020 for more than four hours at the Government House gate despite the fact that he enjoys immunity under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “We are not oblivious of their surreptitious move to undermine the security of the Deputy Governor and strip him of his security appara...

By David Fidelis The Management of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo state, on Wednesday said some projects sponsored as part of its unprecedented infrastructure and industrialization by the state government at the institution campus are ready for commissioning by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The management noted that Akeredolu has transformed RUGIPO to a robust, evidence-based, learning communities. The Management through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Ojo said it became necessary to open the eyes of the public to these landmark and unique contributions and achievements of the institution through the Governing Council Chairman, Banji Alabi with the aims to take the state-owned polytechnic to a world class institution.  According to him, some of the projects that will be commissioned include; Rectory, Registry, Bursary, Radio Station 103.5FM and RUGIPO Market which will be named as Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade Ogunoye (III), the Olowo of Owo. Ojo, in a statement made ava...

A filling station attendant was reported to have  been shot dead by  unknown gunmen suspected to be armed robbers in Akure, the Ondo State capital  The armed robbers were said to have invaded a fuel station, located along Oba-Ile Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It was gathered that the full identity of the victim could not be ascertained when the incident occurred late yesterday. Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro said two arrest had been made immediately in connection with the incident. According to him, “with the intervention of policemen, two of the armed robbers have been arrested”. According to Ikoro, “for long, there hasn’t been such attack in Ondo State, that is to tell you that the rate of crime in Ondo State is minimal, and with this occurrence our men immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of two of the hoodlums.” Ikoro noted that Ondo State will not be a hiding place for criminals, stressi...

Following a glorious reception of the National Leadership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) at Akure where new entrants were received into the fold, the party's leading aspirant in Ondo State, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA) has proceeded to Abuja to submit his Nomination Forms having picked them up few weeks ago.  Otunba Akingboye ably represented by his Press Secretary and Personal Assistant, Oyeniyi Iwakun at Wadata Plaza, Abuja appreciated God for his infinite mercies and kindness so far in the race to leading Ondo State out of obscurity into an endless season of plenty. Akingboye thanked his campaign team, supporters and well wishers for their steadfast love shown to his aspiration. While charging them to not be weary nor complacent till victory is achieved.  Otunba Akingboye once again thanked the Party Leadership both at State and National levels for fervent display of wisdom. He prayed that God should continually strengthen them to do more.  Conclusively, Aki...

No fewer than Four thousand widows have benefitted from a grounded foundation which was initiated by Abosede Adelami, the wife of a leading governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Chief Olayide Adelami  The foundation programme was to offer succor to hopeless widows  Abosede in a statement in Owo to mark the 2020 International widow's day said the intervention through the Elizabeth Foundation, an organisation jointly run by her and the husband, was borne out of the need to give widows a sense of belonging as well as make them less dependent on the society. The Ogun state born school administrator whose husband is popularly known as a 'Oko Opo' (Husband to the Widows) said this year's theme ‘Invisible Women, Invisible Problems’ again brings to the fore the need for society to give better attention to widows. The London Guildhall University trained lawyer said the 2020 commemoration has also brought to the fore the need for Programmes ...

The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service remitted the sum of Twelve Million Naira to all the eighteen (18) local governments in Ondo State, being for Radio and Television Licensing fee .  This was done as her mandate to assist Local governments in collecting their revenues and disbursing accordingly The cheque was presented by the Executive Chairman ODIRS Mr. Tolu Adegbie to Mr. Segun Odunsanya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs today the 23rd day of June 2020. Presenting the cheque to the Permanent Secretary, the Chairman Mr. Tolu Adegbie said the amount is relatively lower as a result of paucity of funds being the Covid-19 pandemic effect on  general economy.  In response Mr. Segun Odunsanya who received on behalf of all the 18 local governments appreciated the Chairman and stated that he prays this global pandemic vanishes in no time so as to enable ODIRS  delve deeper into  other aspects o...